The U.S. Department of State has released the October 2026 Visa Bulletin, marking the beginning of Fiscal Year 2027 and a new allocation of immigrant visa numbers.
The new fiscal year brings forward movement in several family-sponsored and employment-based categories. However, the Department of State also notes that some employment-based categories for “Rest of World” countries have retrogressed as DOS works to keep visa issuance within FY 2027 quarterly and annual limits. Whether you are pursuing an employment-based green card, sponsoring a family member, or waiting for your priority date to become current, here is what you need to know about the October 2026 Visa Bulletin.
USCIS Filing Chart Reminder
For October 2026, applicants seeking to file Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, should first verify which chart USCIS has designated for adjustment filings. The Department of State explains that, unless USCIS announces otherwise, adjustment applicants must use the Final Action Dates chart to determine when they can file. USCIS may separately determine that applicants can use the Dates for Filing chart for a particular month.
Applicants should therefore check the USCIS Visa Bulletin filing-chart announcement before submitting an adjustment of status application.
Employment-Based Final Action Dates
EB-1 (Priority Workers)
- All Chargeability Areas: Current
- China: July 1, 2023
- India: February 1, 2023
- Mexico: Current
- Philippines: Current
EB-1 remains Current for most countries. China remains at July 1, 2023, while India begins FY 2027 with a February 1, 2023 Final Action Date.
EB-2 (Advanced Degree Professionals)
- All Chargeability Areas: January 1, 2025
- China: October 1, 2021
- India: November 1, 2013
- Mexico: January 1, 2025
- Philippines: January 1, 2025
EB-2 India is once again assigned a Final Action Date after being listed as unavailable at the end of FY 2026. Meanwhile, Rest of World, Mexico, and the Philippines begin the new fiscal year with a January 1, 2025 cutoff.
EB-3 (Professionals and Skilled Workers)
Final Action Dates are:
- All Chargeability Areas: May 15, 2024
- China: January 8, 2022
- India: January 1, 2014
- Mexico: May 15, 2024
- Philippines: August 15, 2023
The EB-3 category remains backlogged across all chargeability areas in October.
EB-3 Other Workers
- All Chargeability Areas: January 1, 2022
- China: October 1, 2019
- India: January 1, 2014
- Mexico: January 1, 2022
- Philippines: January 1, 2022
The October bulletin also notes that the annual reduction affecting the Employment Third Preference Other Workers category will be limited to approximately 150 numbers for FY 2027.
EB-4 (Certain Special Immigrants)
The EB-4 Final Action Date is December 15, 2022 for all countries of chargeability.
The Certain Religious Workers category is subject to the same Final Action Date.
EB-5 Investor Program
The bulletin continues to distinguish between unreserved and set-aside EB-5 categories.
Unreserved EB-5
- All Chargeability Areas: Current
- China: December 1, 2016
- India: December 1, 2023
- Mexico: Current
- Philippines: Current
Set-Aside Categories (Rural, High Unemployment, Infrastructure). All three EB-5 set-aside categories remain Current for every country of chargeability.
Notably, EB-5 India Unreserved begins FY 2027 with a December 1, 2023 Final Action Date after being unavailable at the end of FY 2026.
Family-Based Final Action Dates
Among the notable family-sponsored categories:
F1 – Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
- All Chargeability Areas: January 22, 2020
- China: January 22, 2020
- India: January 22, 2020
- Mexico: September 8, 2008
- Philippines: November 1, 2013
F2A – Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents
- All Chargeability Areas: September 22, 2026
- China: September 22, 2026
- India: September 22, 2026
- Mexico: March 22, 2026
- Philippines: September 22, 2026
The F2A category begins FY 2027 with a Final Action Date close to the start of the new fiscal year for most countries. The Dates for Filing chart is also Current for F2A across all countries of chargeability.
F2B – Unmarried Adult Sons and Daughters of Permanent Residents
- All Chargeability Areas: August 22, 2019
- China: August 22, 2019
- India: August 22, 2019
- Mexico: May 15, 2010
- Philippines: October 1, 2013
F3 – Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
- All Chargeability Areas: October 22, 2014
- China: October 22, 2014
- India: October 22, 2014
- Mexico: July 1, 2001
- Philippines: July 22, 2006
F4 – Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens
- All Chargeability Areas: October 22, 2011
- China: October 22, 2011
- India: December 15, 2006
- Mexico: April 22, 2001
- Philippines: May 15, 2008 visabulletin_October2026
Important Department of State Updates
The October Visa Bulletin includes several important developments as the government begins allocating immigrant visa numbers for FY 2027.
FY 2027 Brings New Visa Number Availability
The Department of State explains that with the availability of FY 2027 immigrant visa numbers, both Dates for Filing and Final Action Dates have advanced across various immigrant visa categories. This is particularly important for applicants whose categories were unavailable or heavily restricted near the end of FY 2026.
Some Employment-Based Categories Retrogressed
The beginning of a new fiscal year does not mean every category moves forward. DOS specifically states that some employment-based categories for Rest of World countries have retrogressed. According to the Department, these retrogressions are necessary to keep visa issuance within FY 2027 quarterly and annual limits.
The Department will continue monitoring visa availability and make adjustments as necessary.
EB-2 India Is Available Again
One of the notable employment-based developments is the return of a Final Action Date for EB-2 India. The category begins October with a Final Action Date of November 1, 2013, after being unavailable at the end of FY 2026.
EB-5 India Unreserved Is Also Available Again
The EB-5 Unreserved category for India begins FY 2027 with a Final Action Date of December 1, 2023.
The EB-5 Rural, High Unemployment, and Infrastructure set-aside categories remain Current for India and all other countries.
Religious Worker Program Extended
The October bulletin confirms that the Employment Fourth Preference Certain Religious Workers (SR) category has been extended through December 11, 2026. The category is subject to the same Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing as the other EB-4 categories for the applicable country of chargeability.
What Applicants Should Do
If your priority date is current – or has become eligible under one of the October charts – it is important to carefully review your case before taking action.
Applicants should:
- Compare their priority date with the applicable October 2026 Visa Bulletin cutoff date.
- Confirm their correct employment- or family-based preference category and country of chargeability.
- Check which Visa Bulletin chart USCIS has authorized for adjustment of status filings.
- Gather supporting documents in advance if their priority date is approaching eligibility.
- Continue monitoring future Visa Bulletins because cutoff dates can advance, remain unchanged, or retrogress.
Applicants whose categories became available again at the beginning of FY 2027, particularly those in EB-2 India and EB-5 India Unreserved, should review how the new October dates affect their individual cases.
Final Thoughts
The October 2026 Visa Bulletin begins Fiscal Year 2027 with significant changes across several employment- and family-based immigration categories. The return of visa availability in categories such as EB-2 India and EB-5 India Unreserved will be particularly important for some applicants, while other categories begin the fiscal year with new cutoff dates or retrogression.
Applicants should remember that Visa Bulletin movement can change from month to month. If your priority date is current or approaching the applicable cutoff date, this may be an appropriate time to review your case, confirm which filing chart applies, and prepare for the next stage of the green card process.
Schedule a Consultation with an Immigration Lawyer
Citation
DOS Visa Bulletin: October 2026
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